hoaxn

The defending for that goal summed us up. No one tracked the winger back, Lowton was way too far inside so couldn't get there in time to pressure the cross and Bennett was ball watching not marking the tall aerial threat behind him.

Love how Bennett was playing him onside and then looks round to see if the flag goes up. That was the worst back line positioning I've ever seen. He wasn't even covering a run. Just totally out of position. And why wasn't there a yellow for that late challenge as Delph brought it out?

I thought we had a special relationship with Walsall?

Tell me about it. *Finally* got round to having a proper play with Villa. Can't shift Bent for anymore than 2mil. Got 1mil for Ireland. Can't give Shay away. Still having to pay half of Bent and Irelands contract because of no offering them Villa-standard wages. Started the game with Albrighton, Gabby, Dunne and Bennett injured. By the end of pre-season, Vlaar, Clark, Weimann, Guzan and Delph had joined that number. The shortest of these injuries was around 7 weeks long. Not even training injuries, just picked them up during the friendlies. Not enjoying Villa on this version. Not at all. None of the players seem to excite me or give me a bit of hope for the coming games. Every game is "Great, we're playing Reading away. How many will I concede? How many times will Culverhouse tell me Lowton has been skinned too easily this season?"

Some people called me Space Cowboy. Some people called me the gangster of love.

If he comes out swinging, we're weak at the back and Lambert is crucified. If he sits back and tries to soak up the pressure, we're still weak at the back and Lambert is crucified. So come on, Mr Tactical Genius, how would you setup a team of developing youngsters against the champions in their own house?

We can't handle pressure though. As soon as we're pushed into our third, a goal is inevitable. We may as well set up for the attack and take the game to them. Do all the closing down in the middle of the park and push them back into there third. They can have 90% possession if they want. We just can't let them push our back 4 into our box.

I think Delphs performance today has summed up our season: No matter how well we play, how hard we try or how much we seem to improve from game to game, we still manage to shoot ourselves in the foot. We are our own worst enemy at the moment. And before the inevitable "Delph is so shit" comments, he had a cracking game today.

I'm sure Benteke was to blame for a few conceded from corners. I remember discussing his uselessness at corners with my dad during a game.

Haha reading this thread is like reading the mind of a schizophrenic. We're indifferent to the game to begin with. Same old. Baker scores, we're doomed. It's Armageddon. Then suddenly....Tekkers!! The 20 a season striker we've needed since Yorkie. We calm down enough to realise that Bannan is wank, we can't pass and Gabby should be taken off 'cos he's useless. Then a beautiful passing move later, Bannan hits the post and Gabby puts it in the top corner. Never change Villa. Never change. Every game saves me going to the gym to give my heart a good workout.

Could be well off the mark, but I thought Petrov returning (even for the last minute) would be a huge insurance problem.

I'm not even reacting to this. As I said in the other thread, losses against top teams like Chelsea will happen. Even the occasional drubbing (although 8 is taking the piss). But to lie down in front of them and just accept defeat like that is inexcusable. So with that in mind if they can't be arsed to play, I can't be arsed to react to them.

NO GOAL FOR YOU!

I'm not angry about this result. As you said, young team, still learning, defeats are expected, especially against top teams. I'm just disappointed that they aren't even trying. If you're gonna lose at least lose with a bit of pride and dignity. Don't just lie down for them.

I think Benteke is high. He just kept running forward. Even when he looked around and noticed there wasn't a soul within 10 yards of him, he just kept going. But with his arms up.

Expected it. I had Van Persie nailed on for the hat-trick personally. Let's hope the lads take the result on the chin and look at the performance. Aside from a couple schoolboy defensive errors and a lucky Mexican taking advantage of them, we've played really well.

I'm confused. There was a freekick that didn't involve Paul Scholes or Ashley Young lying on the floor. It's like entering the Twilight Zone.

I hate refs. Carlton gets his jersey tugged a bit and gets a free kick because he throws himself to the ground. Vlaar gets a cut above the eye after an elbow to the head and gets nothing.

Rooney does a fair amount of defensive work. Is he a defender now? Anyway, we shouldn't be getting antsy over this delusional mans idea of football. 6 defenders, 7 defenders, who cares? The worst manager in our history is leaving. I can't contain myself. I might just go for a run just to get rid of this adrenaline!

Bit of an old video, but I can never say womens football is weak after seeing this.

Read Clattenburgs lips in that little exchange. I think he said, "If you can get it into their penalty box, I'll find something to give you."

The winds of shit are in the air. We are going to be pulled in by a shit tornado. In other words, it's a huge shit sandwich, and we're all gonna have to take a bite.

What control by Ricardo Dunninho!

Sounds like that's taken directly from McLeishs team talk.

Seriously, a flare? When did we start playing in Serie A? Talking about ridiculous, Heskey? Please.